Is my shoulder pain coming from my neck?

It can be difficult to determine the primary source of shoulder pain. Often shoulder pain is attributed to rotator cuff tears but can also be due to issues such as bursitis or impingement within the shoulder. Shoulder pain can also be a result of a pinched nerve in the cervical spine. This is called cervical radiculopathy. The pinched nerve will cause pain that radiates into the shoulder and sometimes down the arm. This pain can vary from dull achy pain to sharp shooting pain and may also be associated with numbness and tingling. There are special tests that can be performed during a physical exam by your doctor to help determine the source of your shoulder pain. You may require imaging such as an x-ray or MRI of your neck to confirm the diagnosis.  If you have shoulder pain, you should discuss this with your doctor. Once appropriately diagnosed, cervical radiculopathy can often be managed with conservative treatment including anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, cervical traction and sometimes steroid injections.   If these treatments fail to provide relief of your pain, it may be time to discuss surgical options with your doctor.